Yummy Delish- it's ok to splurge!

It's ok to splurge!  It's really ok! The thing is, be mindful of what you are doing. Make it worth it for you. And know that it's not an "everyday" thing. 

I indulge in holiday meals and drinks and sweets (I will tell you more about that in a moment!). By the time the actual holiday rolls around (NO PUNN INTENDED!), does anyone really feel like celebrating? I don’t know about you, but I have not stopped shopping, wrapping, cooking, cleaning, getting dressed up, made up and juggling between kids conferences, concerts, parties and more parties since Halloween! What a season this has been! I am exhausted! And it’s still days away from Christmas!

Every year around this time, one of my closest friend hosts a “cookie exchange” party! Everyone must either bake or buy a platter of cookies and at the end of the party, we all go home with a grande assortment of treats! I should mention, my kids and my husband think this is the best party of the season. While they don’t attend, they reap the rewards of the sweet treats that I bring home! Ok, so the last thing I want to do is bake for this party (do I really have time?!?)! But, I am shamed into baking because how could I not bring something homemade?!!? And, so, while looking thru countless recipes, I decide on timeless brownies (but with a twist).  Martha Stewart has a great recipe (not low fat) with added peppermint patties! They are outrageous! I mean really fantastic! And, believe it or not, there are some health benefits! Yes, “chocolate” is one of the healthy benefits (and I know you have heard that before) but so too is “peppermint”! 

In the midst of all the indulgence and decadence this time of year, it's comforting to know there are some very real health benefits to some of the most common flavors of the season. Between candy canes and Christmas candy bark, peppermint is giving cinnamon a run for its money as stand-out spice of the holiday season. 

It has been suggested that peppermint might aid all sorts of gut problems, ranging from nausea to menstrual cramps. But, the most scientific evidence exists for its powerful response to irritable bowel syndrome or IBS.  According to studies, when taken, peppermint oil activates an 'anti-pain' channel in the colon, soothing inflammatory pain in the gastrointestinal tract. 

In addition, peppermint oil (put it on your temples) eases tension headaches that are most often brought on by stress, anxiety and alcohol consumption. 

Ok, want to curb your cravings? Just smelling a candy cane might convince you not to eat one. In a 2011 study, people were asked to smell peppermint oil every two hours. They reported not feeling as hungry as people who didn't get a whiff, plus they ate fewer calories during the week. 

Well, I gotta tell you, my peppermint brownies were outrageous. And maybe it was the mint that stopped me from eating the whole tray! Or maybe it was knowing that it’s ok and healthy to indulge.  Luckily, I still have some to take to my friend’s party tomorrow! Every once in a while, indulging is not a bad thing (especially when it’s worth every extra pushup at the gym or every extra mile that run on the treadmill!)! 

Enjoy! Tis the season! Happy healthy holidays!